USA Judo has announced a 13-athlete team for the upcoming Junior Pan American Games, set to take place from August 9 to 23 in Asunción, Paraguay. The continental multi-sport event will feature 334 medal events across 28 disciplines, bringing together top under-22 athletes from across the Americas.
Launched in 2021 by Panam Sports, the Junior Pan American Games were created to spotlight emerging athletic talent from across the region, providing young competitors with an Olympic-style experience early in their careers. The Games also serve as a qualification pathway to the Pan American Games and, for some sports, future Olympic participation, making them a crucial step in the development of future champions.
The U.S. team arrives in Paraguay with strong momentum and high expectations. At the inaugural edition of the Games in Cali, Colombia, American judokas captured two gold medals and three bronze, and the 2025 squad looks poised to improve on that performance.
Top American judokas to compete in Asunción
Gold medalist returns as team leader
Among the returning athletes is a Florida-based judoka who won gold in 2021 and now moves up a weight class. At just 19, she carries not only a world junior ranking inside the top 30 but also the poise of a seasoned competitor. Her leadership is expected to anchor a team packed with rising stars.
Several members of the squad enter the Games with top-tier global rankings, including three judokas currently ranked No. 2 in the world in their divisions. Another key contender, based at the USA Judo National Resident Program in Los Angeles, holds a top-10 world ranking and is widely regarded as a serious medal threat in the men’s lightweight category.
Ranked and ready for battle
Beyond the top ranks, the delegation includes a number of athletes sitting just outside the world’s top 10, with some ranked within the top 15 or top 20. This reflects the program’s depth and competitive edge. These athletes have been training at some of the country’s premier development hubs, including clubs in Florida, California, and New York. They represent a cross-section of the nation’s next-generation talent.
The Junior Pan American Games serve as an important developmental milestone, offering athletes international exposure and a critical step toward Olympic qualification and future senior-level success. For USA Judo, the event is not only a chance to add to the medal tally, but also to shape the trajectory of young athletes on the path to global competition.
